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Steve Smith marks return to Test Cricket with emphatic century on first day of first Ashes test

When Steve Smith was found guilty of ball-tampering in a Test Match against South Africa in March last year, it appeared that his career had gone down in flames. Although only banned for a year, questions arose about whether he would be considered for selection post-ban, and even then whether he would find the form, both physically and mentally, required at the highest level.

Any such questions were answered on Thursday when, with his team struggling and his back against the wall, Smith struck a fluent 144 off 219 deliveries to rescue his side from what would have been a diabolical first innings. With the score on 122-8, it looked as though Australia would not make it to 150, but with a sturdy supporting role played by Peter Siddle, Smith proceeded to break the shackles and take the fight to a fired up English bowling attack. The two added 88 for the 9th wicket before Siddle fell. Smith was then joined by Nathan Lyon and the two put together an equally impressive 74 for the last wicket before the man of the moment finally fell to paceman Stuart Broad.

The second innings would see an almost identical performance. Smith breezed his way to 142 off 207 balls, this time with strong middle order support from Tim Head and fellow centurion Matthew Wade, and became only the fifth Australian to score centuries in both innings of an Ashes test.

Smith faced stiff opposition not only from the English bowlers, but also the near capacity Edgbaston crowd, who made no attempt to disguise its distaste for the embattled former Australian captain. But through the jeers, Smith’s resolve saw him through to magnificent century in trying circumstances. The innings’ marked the return to top-flight of the once beleaguered player, and even the most vitriolic of English supporters had to stand and salute. They say that phoenixes rise, so how fitting that Smith’s performances came in the context of the Ashes.

Love him or hate him, one cannot disagree that Smith’s resolve is strong, and as a player he is a wonder to watch.

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